TVA to Hold Public Workshop on Reservoir Operations Alternatives
August 13, 2003
COLUMBUS, Miss. — TVA will hold a community workshop on Thursday, August 21, at the James M. Trotter Convention Center to gather public comments on policy alternatives for managing the Tennessee River system. The public may come anytime between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
A draft environmental impact statement containing eight alternatives was developed with guidance from the public and federal, state, and local agencies as part of a two-year comprehensive study. After obtaining public comments, TVA will develop a final environmental impact statement with a preferred alternative.
The Reservoir Operations Study is being conducted to determine if changes in river system operating polices would produce greater overall public value. The current operating policies provide year-round navigation and flood risk reduction; supply affordable and reliable electricity, recreation opportunities, an adequate supply of water, and improved water quality; and support sustainable economic growth.
“We have been working for more than a year to develop new ways to analyze data, which will enable us to better understand flood risks, water quality, and economic impacts of operating the reservoir system,” said David Nye, TVA’s project manager of the study. “This analysis allowed us to develop the alternatives, and we want people to tell us what they think of these alternatives and their implications on the many benefits the river system provides.”
The alternatives include a “base case” alternative and seven others with proposed operational changes that would alter the balance of benefits provided by the river system. Examples include holding summer reservoir levels longer to enhance recreation, providing greater depths in the river for commercial navigation, moving water to optimize its use for hydropower production, and equalizing flood risks across all seasons.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement is available on this site and in local libraries across the Tennessee Valley.
People may submit comments on the study via the comment form on this site, use computers available at a community workshop, talk with a court reporter at a workshop, or write comments on a card and return it to TVA. Comments also may be submitted by fax to TVA at 865-632-3146 or by writing to: ROS Project Manager David Nye, TVA, c/o WT 11A, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power producer, providing power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve 8.3 million consumers in seven southeastern states. Its power system and natural resource stewardship programs are self-financed.
Media Contact:
Barbara Martocci, Knoxville (865-632-8632) or TVA News Bureau, Knoxville (865-632-6000)
